This vile expression implies that experienced nurses do not treat new nurses kindly. My first problem with the statement is that it’s a generalization implying that all nurses are like that. Interestingly, whenever I hear someone utter the expression, I always say, “I don’t do that. Do you?” The person making the statement always says, “Oh no, I don’t, but many others do.” I’ve never heard even one nurse own up to doing this, although some nurses are willing to indict the entire profession. Every time that statement is repeated, it causes harm and casts a dark shadow on every nurse. Say anything enough, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Please note that by moderator consensus some of the "Nurses Eat Their Young" posts will be referred to this thread where there can be an ongoing discussion, rather than several threads saying the same thing.
To students and new grads that are having problems with nurses, please take a moment to read the above link. Is it really the entire profession, every single nurse, or do you need help with one or a few nurses? We will be glad to help you in dealing with those people, but let bury the phrase "Nurses Eat Their Young".
To experienced nurses who claim our profession eats it's young, please take a moment to read it as well and think about it. Also take time to teach, be friendly and nurturing to the new nurse and students on your unit.
You tell us....please quantify the word "seasoned" in measurable terms. Should it be based on: education, yrs experience, number of med errors, how many procedures?
That is why I posed the question, as I truly don't know. I don't believe it should be based on years of education because learning to nurse from a book and learning by being on the front line are two totally different learning experiences.
So I ask again:
In your opinion, what constitutes being a "seasoned" nurse?
In response to Katie 91, "nurses who display this are just setting up to be eaten?" It's the nurses that have this attitude that make it bad for those of us just trying to make our way.
If I may correct. It is the student/new grad who makes it hard for you to make your own way.
Most of us "new nurses" are trained differently and are probably more educated; however, the older nurses don't need to be mean to the new ones.
As a relatively "young" nurse, I guess I just have to say this: I heard this while in school. I have been blessed in my jobs, I guess. To date, I have encountered nothing but love and support from my peers. I have and do work with people I love and admire and whose company I enjoy (when I am not running behind and hoping all gets done by 0645...lol). I learn from each and every one of my coworkers each and every day and they have always answered my inquiries with respect and empathy. There may be those out there less than kind, but aren't they in every profession? By and large, we nurses are pretty awesome
Yes, you are blessed, and we are blessed to have you work along side of us;)
I heard years ago that nurses eat their young,the equally sad truth is that they also eat their old.
While many of todays managers were being conceived,I was working odd shifts and trying to juggle single motherhood,a full-time job and completion of an ADN. I finally achieved the degree,took the nursing exam and TAAA DAAA became an RN.
Recently I applied at a large teaching hospital with literally hundreds of openings for RNs for a job I held previous national certification in. The interview went very well, and I was told we would proceed toward additional interviews. The next day I received a call from the Nurse Recruiter stating they were not interested in me because I have not yet completed my BSN.(I have 15 hours toward it and am willing to complete)
And that was that- no further contact. What this tells me is that I am no longer desirable as an employee because I have 31 years of experience but no BSN. They would rather have nobody than hire lowly old me.
Lets get real people! I was "good enough" as an LPN when they needed help on the weekend, and I was "good enough" as an ADN RN all these years. Does experience and national certification mean nothing? I have 17 more years to retirement for heavens sake and a lot to offer in a lot of areas. Sheesh.....no wonder there are hundreds of job openings, they aren't interested in actual people.
The question I'm asking myself is- if I'm disposable now, after struggling from NA to LPN to ADN RN for 31 years, is there any point in struggling more to achieve a BSN so that the bar can again be raised in the future and I will again be excluded? How can we as nurses say we care for and respect people when we treat each other so poorly?
I guess this is the "thread that refuses to die." I have "met" so many fantastic people on allnurses.com and find it hard to believe that any of us could be one of those flesh eating creatures referred to in this epithet. Nursing has a very long history, and hazing, unfortunately, is part of it. If we all make it part of our attitude to NOT be like this, it will eventually disappear.
Happy Valentines Day to my quarter million palls at allnurses.com.
I have to agree with many of my cohorts, nurses eat their young and spit them out. Been there done that, I got up dust my uniform off, cried and swear up and down never to return. Then seasoned nurses are threatened I feel but really there is no reason to be. When something goes down we are the first ones to try and help out. It is so bad where I work, that Im leaving! (6mths new nurse)
I have to agree with the one that said, what planet are you guys from. I am a new nurse of 6mths and have been chewed and spit out many times. I picked my self up and kept going. These seasoned nurses failed to realize when things go wrong, we are the first ones to be at their side. They feel empowered when they do things like that to us. Im staying at this hospital or floor...I did my 6 mths....Im outta here. :angryfire:anbd::tbsk:
i have to agree with the one that said, what planet are you guys from. i am a new nurse of 6mths and have been chewed and spit out many times. i picked my self up and kept going. these seasoned nurses failed to realize when things go wrong, we are the first ones to be at their side. they feel empowered when they do things like that to us. im not staying at this hospital or floor...i did my 6 mths....im outta here. :angryfire:anbd:
i have to agree with the one that said, what planet are you guys from. i am a new nurse of 6mths and have been chewed and spit out many times. i picked my self up and kept going. these seasoned nurses failed to realize when things go wrong, we are the first ones to be at their side. they feel empowered when they do things like that to us. im not staying at this hospital or floor...i did my 6 mths....im outta here. :angryfire:anbd:
so if nurses eat their young, at what point are you going to start doing the same?
:tbsk:
Tweety, BSN, RN
36,447 Posts